ANÃLISIS DE FACTIBILIDAD PARA LA INTRODUCCIÓN DEL BIODIESEL EN ECUADOR

Increases in petroleum prices have affected the prices of its derived products. In addition, the interest in issues related to the environment and energy security at world-wide level has been increased. All of these factors have contributed to the development of alternative fuel such as the ethanol, biodiesel and natural gas. This study analyzes the main agricultural products used to produce biodiesel, their production costs and the utilization of those inputs in other industries. This study will also include a brief summary of different legislations in those countries under analysis. On the other hand, we will find break-even points and apply a sensibility analysis associated with distinct scenarios in terms of input-output prices.Biofuels, biodiesel, feasibility, legislations, break-even points., Agribusiness,

Design and Construction Methods of Caisson-Type Maritime Infrastructures Using GFRP

Glass-fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRPs) are commonly used in various applications in civil-engineering projects. However, they are not common in the construction of civil-marine structures. The GFRP caisson technology was developed for the construction of two mooring dolphins in Puerto el Rosario (Fuerteventura, Spain). Ultraviolet-protected glass-fiber and epoxy resin coats were used to build a 12-m diameter, 13.3-m high cylindrical structure. A finite-element model was used to verify the sandwich composite configuration using the Tsai?Hill criteria?the shear strength of the skins and honeycomb core and the buckling and local failure modes with respect to the composite configuration. This is the first time that the two caissons were designed and built of polymeric materials and installed in a seaport. Accordingly, the construction technique marks a milestone in civil engineering because of its highly innovative nature in addition to significantly reducing the time associated with and the complexity of construction operations

Quality improvement activities associated with organisational capacity in general practice

Copyright © 2007 Australian College of General Practitioners Copyright to Australian Family Physician. Reproduced with permission. Permission to reproduce must be sought from the publisher, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.BACKGROUND Clinical audit is recognised worldwide as a useful tool for quality improvement. METHODS A feedback report profiling capacity for chronic disease care was sent to 97 general practices. These practices were invited to complete a clinical audit activity based on that feedback. Data were analysed quantitatively and case studies were developed based on the free text responses. RESULTS Eighty-two (33%) of 247 general practitioners participated in the clinical audit process, representing 57 (59%) of 97 general practices. From the data in their feedback report, 37 (65%) of the 57 practices recognised the area most in need of improvement. This was most likely where the need related to clinical practice or teamwork, and least likely where the need related to linkages with other services, and business and finance. Only 25 practices (46%) developed an action plan related to their recognised area for improvement, and 22 (39%) practices implemented their chosen activity. Participating GPs judged that change activity focused on teamwork was most successful. DISCUSSION The clinical audit process offered participating GPs and practices an opportunity to reflect on their performance across a number of key areas and to implement change to enhance the practice’s capacity for quality chronic disease care. The relationship between need and action was weak, suggesting a need for greater support to overcome barriers.Cheryl Amoroso, Judy Proudfoot, Tanya Bubner, Edward Swan, Paola Espinel, Christopher Barton, Justin Beilby and Mark Harri

Statistical analyses of correlation between fluconazole MICs for Candida spp. assessed by standard methods set forth by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (E.Dis. 7.1) and CLSI (M27-A2).

The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) Subcommittee on Antifungal Susceptibility Testing recently published a standard for determining the susceptibility of fermentative yeasts to antifungals. From the beginning, the EUCAST and its North American counterpart, the CLSI, decided to work together in order to establish common standards. As part of this exercise, the susceptibility of a set of 475 yeast isolates was tested by both standards. The intraclass correlation coefficient and the equations defining the linear regression between both methods were estimated. Both methods produced very similar results, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.954 (0.945 to 0.962), although linear regression analysis shows that the EUCAST standard resulted in slightly lower MICs. There were only eight isolates showing at least four twofold dilution MIC differences between both standards. After 24 h of incubation, the MICs obtained by the CLSI method were equivalent to those obtained by the EUCAST standard. In summary, both methods produce very similar MICs, indicating that methodology does not pose any obstacle to obtaining uniform standards for antifungal susceptibility testing of yeast

Brillouin scattering self-cancellation

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORThe interaction between light and acoustic phonons is strongly modified in sub-wavelength confinement, and has led to the demonstration and control of Brillouin scattering in photonic structures such as nano-scale optical waveguides and cavities. Besides the small optical mode volume, two physical mechanisms come into play simultaneously: a volume effect caused by the strain-induced refractive index perturbation (known as photo-elasticity), and a surface effect caused by the shift of the optical boundaries due to mechanical vibrations. As a result, proper material and structure engineering allows one to control each contribution individually. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the perfect cancellation of Brillouin scattering arising from Rayleigh acoustic waves by engineering a silica nanowire with exactly opposing photo-elastic and moving-boundary effects. This demonstration provides clear experimental evidence that the interplay between the two mechanisms is a promising tool to precisely control the photon-phonon interaction, enhancing or suppressing it.The interaction between light and acoustic phonons is strongly modified in sub-wavelength confinement, and has led to the demonstration and control of Brillouin scattering in photonic structures such as nano-scale optical waveguides and cavities. Besides the small optical mode volume, two physical mechanisms come into play simultaneously: a volume effect caused by the strain-induced refractive index perturbation (known as photo-elasticity), and a surface effect caused by the shift of the optical boundaries due to mechanical vibrations. As a result, proper material and structure engineering allows one to control each contribution individually. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the perfect cancellation of Brillouin scattering arising from Rayleigh acoustic waves by engineering a silica nanowire with exactly opposing photo-elastic and moving-boundary effects. This demonstration provides clear experimental evidence that the interplay between the two mechanisms is a promising tool to precisely control the photon-phonon interaction, enhancing or suppressing it.718FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR08/57857-2, 2012/17610-3, 2012/17765-7, 2013/20180-3574017/2008-9Sem informaçã

Literature review of measurement techniques forthe studyof sitting posture

Con el objetivo de encontrar una técnica de medida que permita estudiar la postura sedente, se realizó la siguiente revisión sistemática. La búsqueda fue realizada en bases de datos especializadas en el área en estudio. Las palabras clave de la búsqueda incluyeron términos como low back pain, sitting posture, pelvic tilt, entre otras. 2383 artículos fueron seleccionados de acuerdo a la pregunta de revisión planteada y de éstos 228 a partir de los criterios de inclusión establecidos. Se lograron encontrar 17 artículos que permiten identificar las técnicas apropiadas para el estudio de esta postura. La revisión permitió proponer una guía para seleccionar una herramienta que evalúe la postura sedente, con base en las prestaciones que el instrumento ofrece para cumplir con los objetivos del estudio que se desee realizar.Aiming to find a measurement technique that allows studying the seated posture, we conducted the following systematic review. The search was made in specialized databases in the study area. The key words of the search included terms such as low back pain, sitting posture, pelvic tilt, among others. 2383 items were selected according to the review question proposed and these 228 from established inclusion criteria. They were found 17 items that allow you to identify the appropriate techniques for the stance study. The revision allowed proposing a guide for selecting a tool to evaluate the seated posture based on the benefits offered by the instrument to comply with the objectives of the study that you want to perform